Wafered Versus Baled Alfalfa Hay for Milk Production

Abstract

Summary Wafers produced by a field-waferer were compared to baled hay when fed to milk cows. Two sizes of wafers, 1½ and 5 8 -inch square, each essentially cuboidal in shape, were used. The consumption of each size wafer was approximately equal; however, daily consumption of wafers averaged 5.2 lb per cow more than consumption of baled hay when the hay was hand-fed to individual cows in stanchions. When fed ad libitum to groups of cows, all three types of hay were consumed at higher levels, but an average of 6.7 lb more wafers than baled hay were eaten per cow daily. Milk production measured during the trial with individual feeding averaged 1.8 lb more 4% FCM daily per cow on wafers than on baled hay. There was no significant effect upon per cent milk fat or solids-not-fat.